Population Pharmacokinetics of Vancomycin, Meropenem, Milrinone, Dexmedetomidine and Fentanyl in Pediatric Patients During Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been used primarily in newborns since it was first successfully implemented in the 1970s, and has recently increased use in infants and young children. Venoarterial ECMO (VA-ECMO) is a temporary mechanical circulatory support for patients with cardiac failure. Because ECMO is invasive, appropriate use of antimicrobial agent, analgesic and sedatives is important to promote recovery. However, a large variability in drugs pharmacokinetics is expected in pediatric ECMO patients due to the combination of ECMO, drug characteristics and disease factor. This study aimed to evaluate whether the PK of drugs is influenced by VA-ECMO and to recommend the optimal dosing strategies for proposed drugs in pediatric patients receiving VA-ECMO.